Tourism commissioner’s husband wins $1 million

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The husband of West Virginia Tourism Commissioner Betty Carver came forward Friday to claim the winning $1 million ticket from a December Mega Millions drawing.

WV Lottery photo

Kanawha County resident Jeff Carver, husband of state Tourism Commissioner Betty Carver, says he waited until the time was right to claim his check.

Belle resident Jeff Carver said he knew a couple of days after the Dec. 17, 2013, drawing that he had won but decided to wait until “the time was right” to claim the prize.

He said he has been keeping the ticket in a safety deposit box.

“The ticket was posted on our refrigerator for two or three days after the drawing before I finally checked my ticket and realized I had the winner,” Carver said Friday.

The governor’s office announced Thursday that Betty Carver would be retiring after 37 years in state government May 31. Jeff Carver said Friday he plans to keep working at the same place he has for 38 years.

“I plan to pay off my children’s student loan debt,” he said.

The West Virginia Lottery has had 105 million-dollar winners in its history.

Jeff Jenkins

The award-winning native of Pratt, W.Va, took over as head of the news division of MetroNews in August 2000.

14

Comments

Mtnman

COOL beard! Congrats!!!

April 26, 2014 at 8:21 pm |

David

Good for them..

A million doesn't go hat far is true ..

They will only get 600k at most of that million..

April 26, 2014 at 8:44 am |

Wowbagger

And they had better know how to manage it!

April 27, 2014 at 7:03 pm |

Pete Turner

But he only works one day a year, right?
By the way, if you're interested, I have made up a little free and just-for-fun webpage which generates personal quick pick numbers. Who knows, it might work - you just never know your luck! As I say, it is free and just a bit of fun, so look out for VillaLibra Lucky Numbers if you want to see if you can locate it for yourself.

April 26, 2014 at 5:16 am |

SuzanPauley

Congratulations Jeff on your winnings and Betty on your retirement. Jeff you might as well retire also!! You've worked long enough. Enjoy life!

April 25, 2014 at 9:55 pm |

Jonus Grumby

Use the power wisely. Congratulations!

April 25, 2014 at 9:34 pm |

Dr P

Does anyone know if he will upgrade his sleigh or reindeer with that $$$?

April 25, 2014 at 9:15 pm |

arp

Good for them! But they're going to discover that a million dollars, after taxes, actually doesn't go that far.

April 25, 2014 at 6:45 pm |

Mister G!

Well, that explains Betty calling it quits...

April 25, 2014 at 6:38 pm |

DWL

I was thinking the very same thing.

April 26, 2014 at 6:54 am |

Pickle Barrel

Congrats to Jeff! He's a great guy and deserves this bit of good fortune!

April 25, 2014 at 6:21 pm |

p B and J

Glad to hear a winner with the mind to keep on working. Congrats!

April 25, 2014 at 5:07 pm |

Thats true

Millions of little kids all across the world would be very sad if he quit his job.